Seventh Gold of London 2012

Canada's Patrick Anderson, left, controls the ball, as Australia's Justin Eveson, right, tries to stop him, during the men's wheelchair basketball final game at the 2012 Paralympics, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, in London.

Photograph by: Lefteris Pitarakis
, AP Photo

LONDON – If the Paralympic gold medal final in men's wheelchair basketball was truly it for the great Patrick Anderson, the music man certainly played a glorious last tune.

Like Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton on a guitar, or David Helfgott or Frederic Chopin at a piano, Anderson was magic Saturday night, leading Canada to a 64-58 victory over Australia to reclaim the gold medal.

“It feels sweet [to be back on top],” said Anderson, generally regarded as the best hoops talent in the wheeled world. “It feels like the first medal I ever won somehow.”

He was almost melancholy after the medal ceremony, as if he was savoring his final game before he gets serious abouit his budding music career. The 33-year-old from Fergus, Ont., won't say definitively that it was his final game, but few expect to see him on the national stage again.

Anderson scored a game-high 34 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out eight assists as Canada avenged a loss to Australia at Beijing in 2008, a loss that ended Canada's bid for three consecutive Paralympic gold medals.

“I think we were challenged by a really great team and meeting that challenge is awesome,” said Anderson.

In many respects, it will be the end of an era for Canada as veteran forward Richard Peter, 40, of Vancouver, and shooter Dave Durepos, 46, of Federicton, N.B., are also going to retire. Veteran forward Joey Johnson of Winnipeg is also contemplating retirement.

Durepos, the net from one of the baskets draped arouind his neck, said this gold medal was perhaps the most rewarding of the three he has won.

“It's an old cliché, but you don't have any success without a bit of failure and in 2008 we just missed it by a little bit. It's so much more rewarding. If we had swept everyone for four (Games) straight, it would have been a little different story. This means a lot.”

“We're back where we belong,” Johnson said of being on the top of the podium again. “I really feel like we had the best time here and we really proved it today.”

The game was a defensive battle through the first half, with Australia taking a slim 27-26 lead at the break.

Tied at 48 early in the fourth quarter, Canada went on a 5-0 run to seize control. Australia never got within four the rest of the way.

Canada could have taken complete control late if they had just hit their free throws. They went just 3-of-10 down the stretch to give Australia a little bit of hope.

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